Rohit Sharma, the captain of the Indian cricket team, is likely to miss the first Test match of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia. This match is set to take place on November 22 at the Perth Stadium.
Rohit, who is 37 years old, has communicated to the chief selector and high-ranking officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he might not participate in this important match. The reason he gave is that he is dealing with a personal matter that needs his attention. If this issue continues to affect him, he may decide not to play in the Test match in Perth.
As of now, the BCCI is waiting for an official confirmation from Rohit about whether he will play or not. Until they receive this confirmation, his participation in the match remains uncertain. The team and fans are hopeful that Rohit will resolve his personal matter and be able to join the team for this significant series against Australia.
Rohit Sharma May Absent from First Two Tests Against Australia
India may have to play without their captain, Rohit Sharma, in one of the first two Tests of the five-match series against Australia later this year. This series, known as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, will take place in Australia, where India has been quite successful in recent years, with Australia not winning the trophy since the 2014-15 season.
According to reports from the news agency PTI, Rohit has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he might need to miss one of the first two Tests due to a “pressing personal matter.” The first Test is set to be held in Perth from November 22 to 26, and the second Test will be a day-night match using a pink ball, scheduled for December 6 to 10.
A source within the BCCI mentioned, “If the personal issue is resolved before the series begins, he could play in all five Tests. We will know more in the coming days.” This statement leaves fans and the team hopeful that Rohit can join the squad, depending on how his situation develops.
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Abhimanyu Easwaran and Others in Line for Key Roles
If Rohit Sharma has to miss a match during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, in-form batsman Abhimanyu Easwaran could be called up as his replacement. Easwaran is currently in Australia with the India A team, which he is set to lead. Additionally, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul are being considered as potential opening partners for Yashasvi Jaiswal if Rohit is unable to play in the Tests in Perth or Adelaide.
As for leadership, there is still no clear decision on who would step in as captain, especially since the Indian team recently did not have a vice-captain during their two-match series against Bangladesh. In Rohit’s absence, Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul have taken on captaincy roles in the past.
Currently, there are three strong candidates for the captaincy: Shubman Gill, who is Rohit’s deputy in white-ball formats; Jasprit Bumrah; and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. The decision on who will lead the team will depend on Rohit’s availability and the circumstances leading up to the series.
Rohit Sharma’s Leadership Crucial in Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Rohit Sharma is currently on a break while India competes in the T20I series against Bangladesh, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto. Previously, Rohit guided the Indian team to a 2-0 series victory over Bangladesh. His experience and leadership will be vital in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), as India aims to secure their third consecutive Test series win in Australia, following triumphs in 2018-19 and 2020-21.
The series begins with the first Test in Perth, followed by a Day-Night Test at the Adelaide Oval starting December 6. The third Test will take place at the Gabba, beginning December 14, and the iconic Boxing Day Test will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26. The final Test of the series will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 3.
Throughout his career, Rohit has played seven Tests in Australia, scoring 408 runs at an average of 31.38, which includes three half-centuries and a highest score of 63 not out.
In addition to the series victory, India is also focused on reaching their third final of the World Test Championship (WTC), having previously lost to New Zealand and Australia in the finals of 2021 and 2023. Currently, India leads the WTC standings for the 2023-25 cycle, earning 98 points from eight wins in 11 Tests.
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FAQs
Q.1. Why might Rohit Sharma miss the first Test against Australia?
Ans. Rohit Sharma is dealing with a personal matter that may prevent him from participating in the match.
Q.2. When is the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy scheduled?
Ans. The first Test is set to take place from November 22 to 26, 2024, at the Perth Stadium.
Q.3. Who could replace Rohit Sharma if he is unable to play?
Ans. Abhimanyu Easwaran is a potential replacement, along with Shubman Gill and KL Rahul as possible opening partners.
Q.4. Who will captain the Indian team if Rohit Sharma is absent?
Possible candidates for captaincy include Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant, depending on Rohit’s availability.
Q.5. What is India’s goal in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series?
Ans. India aims to win their third consecutive Test series in Australia, having previously won in 2018-19 and 2020-21.
